Frederick Breedon IV, Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry performs during Keith Urban's Fourth annual We're All For The Hall benefit concert at Bridgestone Arena on April 16, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry attends the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Rusty Russell, Getty Images

Troy Gentry of the duo Montgomery Gentry performs at the 32nd annual Fan Fair country music festival June 7, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee. The four-day festival, staged by the Country Music Association, is the largest of its kind and offers fans close access to many of country's biggest stars as well as nightly concerts featuring the genre's top performers.

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images for Churchill Downs

Troy Gentry of music group Montgomery Gentry was killed in a helicopter crash Sept. 8, 2017 in Medford, New Jersey. He was 50. LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 07: Singer Troy Gentry (L) and Angie Gentry attend the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 07, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Rusty Russell, Getty Images

Troy Gentry of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry performs onstage at the 2004 CMA Music Festival June 12, 2004 in Nashville, Tenessee. The four-day festival, the largest in country music, will be featured in a two-hour television special on CBS TV in summer, 2004.

Rick Diamond, Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

Troy Gentry of music group Montgomery Gentry was killed in a helicopter crash Sept. 8, 2017 in Medford, New Jersey. He was 50. NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 27: Jennifer Belcher, Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry, and Angie Gentry attend the T.J. Martell Foundation 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at Omni Hotel on Feb. 27, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.at Omni Hotel on February 27, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Country music artist Troy Gentry of the country music duo "Montegomery Gentry" participates in the third annual Academy of Country Music celebrity motorcycle ride starting at Las Vegas Harley-Davison on May 21, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This motorcycle trip through the Nevada desert will also benefit the Academy of Country Music Charitable Foundation.

Ethan Miller, Getty Images for ACMA

Singer Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry performs onstage at the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards All Star Jam at the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino on April 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Evan Agostini, Associated Press file

In this Nov. 9, 2011 file photo, Eddie Montgomery, left, and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry arrive at the 45th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn. Gentry, one half of the award-winning country music duo Montgomery Gentry, died Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in a helicopter crash, according to a statement from the band’s website. He was 50. The group was supposed to perform Friday at the Flying W Airport & Resort in Medford, N.J.

Owen Sweeney, Invision/AP, File

In this Jan. 17, 2013 file photo, Troy Gentry of the Country Music duo Montgomery Gentry performs on the Rebels On The Run Tour in Lancaster, Pa. Gentry, one half of the award-winning country music duo Montgomery Gentry, died Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in a helicopter crash, according to a statement from the band’s website. He was 50. The group was supposed to perform Friday at the Flying W Airport & Resort in Medford, N.J.

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Musician Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry arrives for the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 18, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

Eddie Montgomery (L) and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry perform on stage at the 38th Annual CMA Awards at the Grand Ole Opry House Nov. 9, 2004 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Country music artist Troy Gentry of the country music duo "Montegomery Gentry" participates in the third annual Academy of Country Music celebrity motorcycle ride starting at Las Vegas Harley-Davison on May 21, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This motorcycle trip through the Nevada desert will also benefit the Academy of Country Music Charitable Foundation.

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Country artist Troy Gentry performs during the 41st Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards All-Star Jam held at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on May 23, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

NBC10 Philadelphia via The Associated Press

In this image from video provided by NBC10 Philadelphia, first responders are positioned near the wreckage of a helicopter in Lumberton, N.J., Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. The Federal Aviation Administration says the helicopter crashed into a wooded area near the Flying W Airport in Medford, N.J., about 20 miles east of Philadelphia. The official website for Montgomery Gentry says Troy Gentry, half of the country duo, died in the crash.

Mel Evans, The Associated Press

Men stand near custom tour buses at Flying W Airport, not far from the scene of a helicopter crash Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Medford, N.J. The Federal Aviation Administration says the helicopter crashed into a wooded area near the airport in Medford, N.J., about 20 miles east of Philadelphia. The official website for Montgomery Gentry says Troy Gentry, half of the country duo, died in the crash. The airport, which also houses a resort, has canceled a Friday night concert by the duo.

NEW YORK — As one half of Montgomery Gentry, Troy Gentry — who died Friday in a helicopter crash — helped the country music duo become a successful act in the genre, launching countless hits, winning multiple awards and reaching platinum status throughout the 2000s.

Gentry, 50, was killed hours before the band was set to hit the stage — a second home for the singer and guitarist from Kentucky. The helicopter carrying Gentry crashed in a wooded area near the Flying W Airport in Medford, New Jersey, around 1 p.m. Friday.

People in Asia and around the world are celebrating the Lunar New Year on Friday with festivals, parades and temple visits to ask for blessings. This year marks the year of the dog, one of the 12 animals in the Chinese astrological chart. People in Beijing celebrated with family feasts and visits to bustling temple fairs amid the mid-winter chill.